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Young adults receiving life or open-ended prison terms nearly doubles over 10 years
The number of young adults being sentenced to life imprisonment or indeterminate terms has risen sharply over the past decade, according to reporting from The Independent. In 2024, 50 offenders between ages 18 and 20 received life or open-ended sentences, compared with 30 in 2014. A growing share of young people in prison are now serving life terms, with many facing sentences as long as — or longer than — the number of years they have lived.

Michigan inmate found dead in cell; homicide investigation underway
Michigan State Police have launched a homicide investigation after an inmate was found dead inside a prison cell. The Michigan Department of Corrections reported that 40-year-old Joshua McGehee was discovered unresponsive on March 27 at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia.

Detroit man released after 27 years in prison
A Detroit man was freed Tuesday, March 31, after spending 27 years incarcerated for a murder he maintains he did not commit. A judge vacated his conviction and dismissed all charges, clearing the way for his relea

Initial Flint water crisis settlement payments start reaching residents after lengthy delays
After years of waiting, Flint residents are beginning to receive the first wave of settlement payments related to the city’s water crisis. The distribution follows a federal judge’s recent approval of partial payouts, marking a long-anticipated step forward after prolonged uncertainty.

Death of inmate at Bellamy Creek prison under investigation as possible homicide
According to MSP spokesperson Special Lt. Pat Agema, an investigation remains underway as of March 30, and no charges have been issued at this time. While officials have not disclosed the cause of McGehee’s death pending autopsy results, the case is currently being treated as a suspected homicide.

Federal Appeals Court Rejects Constitutional Claims in Scabies Lawsuit
A federal appeals court has ruled that Michigan prison officials cannot be held constitutionally responsible for the mishandling of a scabies outbreak at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. In a 2–1 decision on March 26, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling and held that senior prison officials are protected by qualified immunity from federal constitutional claims related to their failure to identify and properly treat the outbreak that afflicted women with persistent itching, rashes, and infections from 2016 to 2019

Tell Governor Whitmer: Support Clemency and Sentencing Reform at Huron Valley
Women incarcerated at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility have released a solution-focused open letter urging Governor Whitmer to grant clemency to at least 100 women before the end of her term. In the letter, they propose adopting the Women’s Clemency and Resentencing Initiative, a three-phase reform plan created by incarcerated women.

Howard University Students Volunteer in Flint Schools During Spring Break
A group of Howard University students recently volunteered with Flint Community Schools as part of a program focused on supporting communities in need.

Flint Southwestern Students Build Raised Garden Beds Through Summer Program
A group of Flint Southwestern students spent the summer constructing durable raised garden beds with guidance from a retired General Motors mentor through the General Motors Student Corps (GMSC) program, along with support from the team at Factory Two. Their work will give future students hands-on opportunities to learn about gardening and horticulture.

Michigan Corrections Introduces New Safety Initiative for Prisons
Michigan corrections leaders have introduced a new “safe prisons initiative” aimed at enhancing safety for both staff and inmates as assaults increase across state facilities. According to Bridge Michigan, the effort will rely on data analysis to track patterns, expand programming for prisoners, and reassess housing for those considered violent.